Embedded Files
John William Troth
~Collier of Ibstock
&
Sarah Ann Gray
~ Knitter of Ibstock
JOHN WILLIAM TROTH born 1st March 1869 in Ibstock, Leics &
SARAH ANN GRAY born 11th June 1870 in Ibstock, Leics.
John was born on the 1st March 1869 in Ibstock, he is my great great grandfather. His father William Troth was a nail maker and his mother was called Charlotte Storer. His father was originally from Bromsgrove or more specifically Sidemoor in Worcestershire, but had moved to Ibstock to continue his trade as a nailer providing nails to other trades such as the local coal mine at Ibstock.
John's future wife Sarah Ann Gray was born on the 11th June 1870 in Ibstock. On the birth certificate for Sarah it gives her mother's name as Eliza Gray but no father is mentioned, Sarah had just taken her mothers surname (Gray) as she was born out of wedlock. She appears on the 1871 Census aged just nine months and she is noted as Henry's daughter, this should have been grand-daughter. Certainly in 1881 she is noted as being the grand-daughter of Caroline, Henry's wife, was the 1871 Census correct that he was the father ?
Incest was not unheard of in small mining communities of Victorian Britain, it would not have been technically illegal, Eliza would have been just nineteen at the time. As far back as 1583 Queen Elizabeth I had began penalising incest when she created a court of high commission to address such crimes but it wasn't until 1908 when the next major legal act regarding incest became reality, when the Punishment of Incest Act was passed.
I cannot be 100% sure but it is possible Sarah Ann Gray was born through a incestuous encounter with Henry but i believe it is more probable and i hope that Henry was just stating he was the father of Sarah Ann Gray on the Census to cover the fact she was illegitimate and the father was unknown. Later on Sarah's marriage certificate she still gives Henry Gray as her father to avoid the issue of no father being entered on the certificate.
John William married Sarah Ann Gray on Christmas day 1890. They were living with Sarah's mother Eliza and her family at Chapel Lane Ibstock. John became a miner working at the pit at Ibstock, an occupation that had dire consequences and which proved to be fatal. They had five children altogether, Florrie born in 1891 at Heather Road, Ibstock, she is my great grandmother. The 2nd child was a son called William in 1893, who unfortunately died very young in 1897. Then a daughter, Charlotte, born in 1896. Then came two boys, John William Troth in 1890, who also became a Miner like his father and Charles Kenneth Troth, born in 1900.
William Thirby, a farmer and lace manufacturer of Ibstock Grange was responsible for the first coal shaft being sunk at Ibstock in 1825, the farm land was owned by Ibstock Lodge. 200 feet down they found a seam of coal which was three and a half feet thick, a dozen miners were originally employed to extract the coal. A railway branch line was added in 1832 so coal could be transported from the colliery to the Leicester to Swannington line, this was one of the earliest railways laid in Britain. A William Stinson was the brains behind the scheme who owned the pit at Long Lane Whitwick, they approached land owner John Ellis and he in turn visited the now famous George Stevenson in Liverpool regarding purchasing a steam engine. The colliers built the line themselves and an engine was bought from Messrs George Stevenson & Co for transporting the coal and named 'Ibstock'.
According to the Ibstock History site, brick making started on the site at the beginning of the 1830’s as a way of using clay and spoil extracted during the mining process. In 1846 the Ibstock Colliery business was sold at auction and the particulars such as a "good supply of brick clay, with a brickyard, kiln and large shed for its manufacture now in full work". The operations went through various changes of ownership until 1875 when the business was purchased by the Thomson family who owned collieries in Scotland. Ibstock Collieries Limited was incorporated in 1899 and so began the roots of the 'Ibstock Brick' business. In 1928 the colliery closed and the company concentrated on brick, tile and pipe manufacture. *
Before 1890 the colliery comprised three shafts, two shafts were sunk 17 yards apart, one being the coal winding shaft and the other the pumping shaft. The year 1890 saw the sinking of a fourth shaft, 14 feet diameter, near to the upcast shaft. The new shaft was downcast and coal winding and together with the existing upcast shaft was known as the No.2 Plant. The older winding and pumping shafts together became the No.1 Plant. The existing upcast shaft served both mines. *
Not only had Sarah seen her grandfather Henry Gray die at the Ibstock pit in 1880 but she was about to become a widow because of the same fate. John William Troth died in a mining accident on the 28th of July 1899 when the roof caved in while working underground at the Ibstock pit. When he died he was working as a Chargeman, basically the man in charge. He had worked in the colliery for 6 years and by all accounts was a very consensus Miner, the report into his death stated he always made sure that the props were set in accordance with the rules but it seems not enough wooden props had been correctly cut and set in place on that fateful day.
The initial summary said -
Died 28/07/1899, 32, Stallman, Ibstock, Lower Main Col, Ibstock Colliery Co, Leicester, Fall of coal.
Deceased was holing and had gone too far under without setting short sprags to the bottom bed of the seam. Sprags were properly set to the upper portion but the lower portion was unsupported and fell away from a parting in the seam.
The Inquest decided that it was an accident and not enough support had been set but the company was at least partially at fault for not supplying wooden props in the correct pre cut lengths. The men would have to sometimes cut timber to length to support the walls and roof.
The reports stated that he was just 31 years of age and he leaves a widow and three children. (Sarah was actually expecting at the time - Charles Kenneth Troth was born in December). Fellow collier Joseph Wilkins reported that he and a Thomas Wright were working next to the deceased, he had holed in from 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 yards and he(witness) was called to finish the top of the pack, which was between two stalls. Deceased said to him "here's a bit of dirt you can have to finish your pack with". Witness picked his shovel up and just as he was turning around heard a fall and the deceased cry out.
A pack is a form of permanent roof support in mines consisting of mine debris often surrounded by vertical dry stone walls completed tightly to the roof. Brob or brobs are the innermost undersprags when more than one sprag is set in the holing and a sprag is a support placed in the undercut part of a seam and in front of the coal to support it.
Mr John Hay, the Colliery Manager said regarding the brobs, sprags and props in the colliery, it was left to the holer's discretion as to how he should use the timber. You can see full inquest details reported in the Coalville Times in the images link at the bottom of the page.
The Ibstock Cemetery had been set aside in 1883, the 1.25 acres Cemetery is just off Pretoria Road (ex Peggs Lane) on the east side of the town. John was buried at Ibstock Cemetery on the Sunday afternoon, 30th of July 1899. A large crowd joined the funeral procession from the house in School Fields to the Cemetery. This included officials from the Colliery, expressions of sympathy with the widow were heard from all sides.
In the 1901 Sarah and her young family are living at Chapel Lane, daughters Florrie, aged 9 and Charlotte, aged 5 and sons John William, aged 3 & Charles Kenneth, aged 1. Living next door is her mother Eliza and next door to her is a Spencer Johnson living with his wife Ann and daughter May, Age 1. Later Spencer Johnson and Sarah were to become partners and had a daughter called Doris.
Sarah Ann died on the 13th November 1937 in the Royal Infirmary, Leicester. She was aged 66 at the time and still living at 35 Chapel Lane, her daughter Florrie was present when she passed away. She is also buried at Ibstock Cemetery on Pretoria Road.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JOHN WILLIAM TROTH born 1st March 1869 in Ibstock, Leics.
Born. 1st March 1869 Ibstock. John William Troth
Father - William Troth. Occupation - Nail Maker, Master
Mother - Charlotte Troth Formerly Storer
Informed by Charlotte Troth - Mother, Ibstock
Registered Twenty-Sixth March 1869.
Census 1871. John William Troth. Age 2
Address - Principal Street, Ibstock
Living With Father William Troth (46). Head of Household
and Mother Charlotte Troth (40) and Brother Charles Troth (16)
Census 1881. John William Troth . Age 12. Born - Ibstock
Address - Deacon Lane, Ibstock
Parish - Ibstock St Dennis
Living With Father William Troth (57)
Head of Household. - Nailmaker
and Mother Charlotte Troth (52)
Marriage. 25 December 1890. John William Troth Age 22. Collier
Residence - Ibstock
Father - William Troth. Nailer
to Sarah Ann Gray Age 20
Residence - Ibstock
Father - Henry Gray. Collier
at the Parish Church, Ibstock
Signed by John William Troth and Sarah Ann Gray
Prescence of :- John Allen, Mary Charlotte Raynor
Census 1891. John William Troth Age 22.
Living with his Wife & her Mother Eliza's Family- Details Below
Address - Chapel Lane, Ibstock
John Allen Head of Household. (42) - Miner. Born Ravenstone
Eliza Allen Wife (40)
John Allen Son (17) - Miner
Ann Allen Daughter (11) - Scholar
Walter Allen Son (7) - Scholar
George Allen Son (4) - Scholar
William Allen Son (3)
Arthur Allen Son (11 mnth)
John William Troth Son-in-Law (22) - Miner
Sarah Troth Daughter (19)
*All Others Born Ibstock
Died 28 July 1899 - Ibstock Colliery.
Buried 30 Jul 1899 Ibstock Cemetery
No 756 1899, Grave N/59
Age 30 Miner
Children of JOHN WILLIAM TROTH and SARAH ANN GRAY:
b 01 Aug 1891, Heather Road, Ibstock, Leics
m 12 Jun 1920 to Henry Almond,
Parish Church, Ibstock, Leics
d 12 Dec 1940, Leicester
ii. WILLIAM TROTH
b Jul-Sep 1893, Ibstock, Leics
d Oct-Dec 1897, Ibstock, Leics
iii. CHARLOTTE TROTH
b 11 Aug 1895, Ibstock, Leics
m 24 Nov 1917 to William Thomas Newcombe,
Parish Church, Ibstock, Leics
d Jul-Sep 1972, Leicester
iv. JOHN WILLIAM TROTH
b 31 Dec 1898, Ibstock, Leics
m 04 Jun 1921 to Francis Knight,
Parish Church, Ibstock, Leics
d Oct-Dec 1984, Ibstock, Leics
v. CHARLES KENNETH TROTH
b 16 Dec 1899, Ibstock, Leics
m 06 Nov 1926 to Mary Ethel Green,
Parish Church, Ibstock, Leics
d Jul-Sep 1978, Coalville, Leics
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SARAH ANN GRAY born 11th June 1870 in Ibstock, Leics.
Born. 11th June 1870. Ibstock Sarah Ann Gray
Informed by Eliza Gray (Mother).
She made her mark as the Informant.
Father - Not given.
Census 1871. Sarah Ann Gray. Age 9 Months.
Noted as Henry's Daughter.
Address - Peggs Lane, Ibstock.
Parish - Ibstock.
Living with Henry Gray (48) - Head of Household Coal Miner
& his wife Caroline Gray (38).
Children William Gray (12) - Factory Worker, Harry Gray (5)
& Fred Gray (3) - both Scholars
Eliza Gray (21) , Harriett Gray (16) & Emma Gray (14)
- all Knitters.
Betsy Gray (8) - Scholar.
Hannah Gray (3 Months) - Grand-Daughter
All born Ibstock.
Grandfather Henry Gray dies in an accident
at Ibstock Colliery. 27 Jun 1880
Census 1881 Ibstock. Sarah Gray. Age 10. - Scholar.
Noted as Caroline's Granddaughter.
Address - Heather Road, Ibstock.
Parish - Ibstock.
Living with Grandmother Caroline Gray (44) -
Head of Household & Widow. Worsted Knitter.
Her sons William Gray (21) , George Henry Gray (15)
- both Coalminers
& Vincent Fredc Gray (13) - Bricklayer Boy.
Her Daughters Elizabeth Gray (17) - Domestic Servant.
Hannah Gray (10) - Scholar & Caroline Gray (3).
All born Ibstock.
Marriage. 25 December 1890. John William Troth Age 22. Collier
Residence - Ibstock
Father - William Troth. Nailer
Sarah Ann Gray Age 20
Residence - Ibstock
Father - Henry Gray. Collier
at the Parish Church, Ibstock
Signed by John William Troth and Sarah Ann Gray
Prescence of :- John Allen, Mary Charlotte Raynor
Census 1891. Sarah Troth Age 19.
Living with her Husband, Mother & the Allen family.
Address - Chapel Lane, Ibstock
John Allen Head of Household. (42) - Miner. Born Ravenstone
Eliza Allen Wife (40)
John Allen Son (17) - Miner
Ann Allen Daughter (11) - Scholar
Walter Allen Son (7) - Scholar
George Allen Son (4) - Scholar
William Allen Son (3)
Arthur Allen Son (11 mnth)
John William Troth Son-in-Law (22) - Miner
Sarah Troth Daughter (19)
*All Others Born Ibstock
Census 1901. Sarah Troth Age 29. - Undefined. Widow
Address - Chapel Lane, Ibstock
Parish - Ibstock
Living With Daughters Florrie Troth (9) & Charlotte Troth (5)
and Sons John W Troth (3) & Charles K Troth (1)
Census 1911. Sarah Troth Age 39. - Knitter. Widow
Address - 36 Chapel Street, Ibstock
Parish - Ibstock
Living With Daughters Florrie Troth (19) - Knitter
& Charlotte Troth (10) - Service
and Sons John William Troth (13) - School
& Charles Kenneth Troth (11) - School
Children:5 Alive :4
Sarah Ann Troth Died 13 November 1937. Aged 66
Registration District : Leicester
Where : Royal Infirmary, Leicester U.D.
Occupation : of 35 Chapel Street Ibstock, Market Bosworth R. D.
Widow of John William Troth a Coal Miner
Cause : (a) Carcinoma of Lung (b) Carcinoma of Breast.
Certified by Robert Morrision M.D.
Informant : F. Almond Daughter
present at death 11 Long Lane Leicester
Registered : 13 November 1937
Registrar Alfred G Manager
Buried 4 Dec 1938 Ibstock Cemetery
No 2767/987, L3 Plot 4
Age 66 Widow of John William Troth
35 Chapel Street, Ibstock
Children of JOHN WILLIAM TROTH and SARAH ANN GRAY:
b 01 Aug 1891, Heather Road, Ibstock, Leics
m 12 Jun 1920 to Henry Almond,
Parish Church, Ibstock, Leics
d 12 Dec 1940, Leicester
ii. WILLIAM TROTH
b Jul-Sep 1893, Ibstock, Leics
d Oct-Dec 1897, Ibstock, Leics
iii. CHARLOTTE TROTH
b 11 Aug 1895, Ibstock, Leics
m 24 Nov 1917 to William Thomas Newcombe,
Parish Church, Ibstock, Leics
d Jul-Sep 1972, Leicester
iv. JOHN WILLIAM TROTH
b 31 Dec 1898, Ibstock, Leics
m 04 Jun 1921 to Francis Knight,
Parish Church, Ibstock, Leics
d Oct-Dec 1984, Ibstock, Leics
v. CHARLES KENNETH TROTH
b 16 Dec 1899, Ibstock, Leics
m 06 Nov 1926 to Mary Ethel Green,
Parish Church, Ibstock, Leics
d Jul-Sep 1978, Coalville, Leics
Child of SARAH ANN GRAY and SPENCER JOHNSON is:
i. DORIS JOHNSON
Go to associated images - John William Troth(1869) and Sarah Ann Gray(1870)
Go to John William's Parents - William Troth(1824) and Charlotte Storer(1829)
Go to Sarah Ann Gray's Mother - Eliza Gray (1851)
Go to John William & Sarah Ann's Daughter - Florrie Troth (1891) & Henry Almond (1891)
Go to the Almond descendants home page
*Adapted from * https://www.nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/coal-mining-in-the-british-isles/leicestershire/ibstock-colliery/ & https://www.ibstock.com/history/
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse